The haulers are loaded, fans are packing their bags, and the TV production truck is on the way. In a few days the tiny Missouri town of Wheatland will swell with pride and anticipation as the 20th annual Dart Show-Me 100 takes place at Lucas Oil Speedway.

It’s the first traditional crown jewel event of the season, with lots of money and prestige on the line. The Show-Me needs very little hype, because the name and the tradition give it an elevated stature. With certain events nobody has to tell MORE

It’s probably an injustice to point out that Dale McDowell is one of the nicest guys in racing, because that statement might imply that he’s been anything less than a stellar racer for nearly 30 years.

Being nice, goes some theories, is not necessarily a good trait for a racer. It’s more important to be blood-and-guts aggressive, ceaselessly hungry, and ruthless in your pursuit of victory. That’s one of the reasons McDowell remains a compelling character; he has achieved success at the MORE

Roger Slack paced in the control tower at Eldora Speedway, watching the cars race past on the track far below. Every few moments he said something into the small radio he clutched in his hand, glancing at the lap counter and watching the flagman. As the race winner flashed across the finish line Slack’s eyes widened as two propane burners belched flame at the precise moment, while several massive fireballs mushroomed off the terrain just beyond the backstretch. An instant later the shock wave MORE